​Back by popular demand! Superstar gardener Marian Woodard presents a very special opportunity to learn the most effective, most natural, deeply earth centered gardening practices in this 6-week series at Rodgers Ranch on Saturdays, 9:30am to 12pm. No matter what size your yard is, you’ll learn to be more self-sufficient, conserve water and energy, and build community with your fellow gardeners. Students will work on shaping and re-designing their own growing spaces throughout the class. You will see your yard in a whole new light!

CLASS SESSION TOPICS:

January 20: Permaculture: Partnering with Nature For a Better GardenLearn how and why permaculture works. Redefine your definition and expectation of a garden. Learn how little effort is needed to work with nature for bountiful yields. Participants will be able to: explain what Permaculture is, understand why it addresses climate weirdness, define their ideal garden, and begin gathering information to design their space.

January 27:Garden Design – Components and ConnectionsLearn what needs to be incorporated for successful garden design and implementation. Participants will be able to: create a garden map, identify important property components, understand how elements affect each other, identify essential elements, and begin ideas placement.

February 3:Soil: Ground Zero for Garden & Planetary HealthLearn the definition and components of soil, and what it takes to best support your garden. Participants will be able to: identify soil characteristics based on texture, structure and types of plants growing in it; know what turns soil into dirt; understand basic plant biology (and why never to buy petrochemically-based fertilizers again); compost and vermicompost; understand the importance of organic matter in soil.

February 10:Water: Slow it, Sink it, Spread it, Save itWhether El Nino or drought, learning how to capture and use water can transform your garden. Participants will be able to: identify the most relevant water capture system(s) for their property (may include swales, dams, earthworks, ponds, greywater); use an A-frame to identify contour lines (for swales), and know how to implement the best system for their circumstances.February 17:Trees, Guilds & Food Forests, & Options for Applying ThemPurpose: 1. Learn how to identify which plants are needed, and then place plants so that they help each other grow for increased yield, soil health and less work for the gardener. 2. Learn how to build structures such as herb spirals, keyhole beds or mandala beds to incorporate guilds. Participants will be able to: identify 6 critical functions of trees and how to use them in the garden; what types of trees and plants to use for desired functions; what to plant around trees; how to build high-density planting structures.

February 24:To Seed or to SeedlingLearn what is most cost and time effective to plant versus buy. What to know when working with seed packets or 6-packs of seedlings. Plant some seeds for your own garden. (Materials fee may apply.) Participants will be able to: read a seed packet, know where to find crucial growing information, set up record-keeping, and distinguish which nursery plants are best to take home. Know which type of growing medium to use when, and how to make their own.

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The Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center's Board of Directors is excited to use our blog, "Ranch Posts," to keep members and the public informed of the latest activities at the ranch. We invite you to comment, ask questions, or muse on the heritage center, both its historical past and its thriving present.